10% Off WikiFresh

Say When

Three people died in a traffic crash Saturday morning in Kailua-Kona .3 of a miles north of the Hina Lani/Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway intersection.

Their names are being withheld pending positive identification.

In response to a 5:17 a.m. call, Kona Patrol officers determined that a Nissan pickup truck driven by a 39-year-old Kailua-Kona man was traveling north on Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway when a Kia multi-purpose vehicle traveling south collided with the truck, causing the Kia to catch fire.

The driver of the truck was taken to Kona Community hospital for treatment of his injuries.

The male driver of the Kia and two of his passengers died at the scene. Another passenger, a 17-year-old Kailua-Kona girl, was able to exit the Kia. She was taken to Kona Community hospital for treatment of her injuries.

It was not immediately know if speed or alcohol were factors. Police have initiated negligent homicide investigations in connection with this crash.

Autopsies have been ordered to determine the exact cause of death and to identify the bodies.

These are the 2nd, 3rd and 4th fatalities this year, compared with three at this time last year.